Our Work

Over more than 30 years, Supath Gramodhyog Sansthan has run programs across health, livelihood, women’s empowerment, youth development, and environmental conservation. Below are highlights from our work.

Organic Farming Promotion

Published a guidance booklet in Gujarati, “Sajiv Kheti,” for farmers. Set up an Agri Clinic Center and a soil and water testing lab, along with a counseling center for technical guidance to farmers. Organized farmers’ meetings in villages, reaching about 2,500 farmers with the message of organic farming.

Women Empowerment Activities

Formed and strengthened more than 1,500 Self-Help Groups (SHGs). Organized orientation and capacity-building training for 12,000 women SHG members under the Micro Finance program. Imparted skill training to 1,000 women in traditional art work. Implemented a Cluster Development Program for an embroidery unit for BPL-category women via the Gujarat State Handloom & Handicrafts Development Corporation. Supported SHG members’ participation in 16 national and international trade fairs to market their products.

Micro Finance Program

Covered 20,000 women beneficiaries with financial assistance of Rs. 45 crores. Secured micro-credit loans from Dena Bank, SBI, RMK, National Housing Bank, Gujarat Tribal Development Corporation, and Gujarat Minority Finance and Development Corporation. Set up Supath Rural Development Foundation (a Section-25 non-profit) in April 2011 to undertake micro-finance operations. Produced a documentary film, “A Path to Economic Empowerment.”

National Seminars & Publications

Organized a national seminar on “Gender Budgeting and Women Empowerment” in September 2008, and “Women Empowerment through Micro Finance” in August 2009. Published two books: “Gender Budgeting and Women Empowerment in India” and “Micro Financing & Women Empowerment” (two volumes), compiling research papers from both seminars.

Save The Earth Planet

Partnered in the “Save The Earth Planet” project initiated by the Scientist and Engineering Wing (SEW) of Rajyoga Education & Research Foundation, Brahma Kumaris World Spiritual University, aiming at environmental protection and grassroots-level action.

Gujarat Forestry Development Project

Implemented over 4 years, aided by the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) through two Resource Organization teams, to restore degraded forest, build conservation awareness, and promote alternative livelihoods for forest-dwelling residents.

Youth Activities

Provided counseling and vocational guidance to more than 1,000 educated unemployed youth. Conducted 3 Rural Entrepreneurship Development Programs with financial support from NABARD — each program 6 weeks, covering 90 participants. Produced “Supath Song” and “Supath Sang Mahila-e-Badli.”

Van Bandhu Kalyan Yojana Project

Implemented “Vanbandhu Kalyan Yojana” (Project Sunshine 2009) with the Development Support Agency for Gujarat (D-SAG) for 3 years to double agricultural production for tribal farmers. Distributed agricultural kits to 40,000 tribal farmers.

Visit To Germany

Participated in a training-cum-exposure visit to Germany, jointly organized by the Bankers Institute of Rural Development (BIRD) and the Academy of German Cooperatives (ADG), to study cooperative best practices in Germany.

Research Studies

Conducted a research study on the Rajiv Gandhi National Crèche Scheme for Children of Working Mothers, under the Planning Commission of India, across 9 states. Conducted a mid-term evaluation of the Mobile Crèche Scheme for Children of Construction Workers in Uttar Pradesh, funded by the U.P. State Social Welfare Board.

Biodiversity Management Committee Support

Provided technical support for constituting Biodiversity Management Committees and preparing Public Biodiversity Registers in 20 Gram Panchayats of Bhiloda taluka, Aravalli district.

rainwater harvesting conservation awareness

Implemented a CSR project with Water and Power Consultancy Services (WAPCOS) for rainwater harvesting structures (ponds) and water conservation awareness in 5 tribal villages of Banaskantha district.

Akhil Bhartiya Mahila Suraksha Abhiyan

Organized a Women’s Conference in 2014 jointly with Brahma Kumaris World Spiritual University, with 1,500+ women participants from various SHGs.

Internship Training

Provided internship training to 25 MSW students from various Gujarat colleges, for periods of 1 to 6 months.